Sunday, November 25, 2012

Nov 25th Quilt Cam Time!

I love this pic of Jemima watching along! Do you have a pet who loves to watch? I'd love to see your photos of your pets watching as you sew!

And if you are sewing along and can grab someone close by to snap a pic of you working on a project and sewing along with me, won't you email me that photo too?

It's freaking cold out today -- so much for the warm days we had last week when I returned from Michigan!

But along with the cold weather comes lots of time to stay in and sew.

New floor, everything back in place -- ready to go!

Yes, MORE Moth in the Window blocks!

I need to keep working on these -- I've got a couple other projects going, but I am not going to let this one become a long time UFO -- I'm pushing it through! Will I finish the top in December? I hope so!

I'm going to hang around an hour or so. Want to join me? Grab a project and come sew!

You can leave a comment in the comment section below, or leave one in the guest book by clicking the blue guest book button in the left hand side bar, While I can't answer them all ---but I do pick randomly and try to answer questions as I sew!

Hi Bonnie, although I AM a real night bird, this is certainly a more convenient time to watch than 2am! Am working away on the 4-patches for Easy Street, and I will probably make a quilt about 3/4 the size of your enormous one! Cheers, Stephen in chilly London

Hiya Bonnie! I just tripped over the notice that you were having quilt-cam and I tuned right in. I love your tip about creating a new tab on my browser to have one open quilt cam to listen to and the other one to type in a comment! Works great.I'm on coffee break from completing 70 of the Clue #1 four patches and they look wonderful in the Civil War red and tans. Thank you so much for the gift of the mystery!

Great to be watching at a reasonable time of the day! I really enjoyed your last Quiltcam, but couldn't sleep afterwards as I really wanted to get sewing - a quick cup of tea sorted that daft idea out! Hello too, to Stephen in London, I'm in Stevenage.

Hello Bonnie great to see ya again. Gonna work on some D9P today to put into my cousins quilt top. So will be sewing along side of ya and the other 500+ visitors.. Its a windy and sunny 71* here in Central Texas.

Hi from NW Alabama. I am prepping my fabrics for Easy Street today. I had to go shopping for black on white, didn't even have one piece in the stash. Excited! This will be my first time actually doing the mystery. I followed along last year, but never made the plunge to sew.

Hi Bonnie.... greetings from a cool So. Cal. I thought of you yesterday when I got a photo text from my DH.....he's at a local thrift store " Is this the sewing machine you wanted?" I couldn't reply YES fast enough. It's a black Necchi BF. In a cabinet. Sigh... I've been so good lately, like you .... I don't need anymore machines. It runs beautifully. I can't wait to get a bobbin and take her for a spin. Gonna call her Luiza. I did show my hubby a photo of your Sophia and said.... can you find me one of these now? LOL!

Hi Bonnie. greetings from Grande Prairie, Alberta...I found out just how much I had a year and a half ago. I had a flood in my basement. Luckily the side with my studio was not to very affected but it made me realize just how much I have too. When I had to pack everything up to put into storage I decided to put myself on a "fabric diet" for a year. I am still on it. Too much fabric....so little time...lol

I have never used those blades...have stopped at Harbor Freight three times and they are always out of the size I need. Let us know if they are worth the trip! I am drinking my first cup of coffee and am so HAPPY you are on Quilt Cam! I have missed you Bonnie!

Harbor Freight blades work GREAT!!!!! Been using them for a couple years here. They come in on Wed and by Wed afternoon the quilters have snatched them up. The store can't seem to figure out why the are out all the time. :)

Bonnie - Regarding Harbor Freight blades - I tried these and they were awful. They are nicked and don't cut fabric very well at all - they SHRED it! Such a waste. I don't recommend them at all and I keep seeing other quilters suggest using them. I don't think they've tried cutting with one yet.

I'm collecting my used blades to trade in at the LP Sharp company since they'll send you brand new blades for your old ones at a fraction of the cost.

Hi Bonnie -- everything sounds good from Cape Cod, MA. But I also have a questions about the Easy Street quilt. I started cutting all my black and white fabric in 2 inch strips (although most of them are 2.5 because I cut them wrong and had to recut). And I cut almost all of the black and white fabric into strips. Are we going to use the black and white fabrics during another step? If so I might have to buy some more (not a bad thing). Thanks for the mystery

Sometimes you need the safety gear. I was in a class with Ricky Tims. While he was demonstrating something, the blade shattered and pieces flew. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but, boy were we all shocked!

I bought the Harbour Freight blades. The first package had blades that were duller than dull. They just chewed the fabric. Pitched them. I am hoping that the other package I purchased will be better. I have heard both scenarios from different people. Good luck with yours!

Hey Bonnie, Laurie here (from Ottawa, Ontario), was going to do some sewing but decided to work on one of the 2 featherweights I acquired to resell. Both in beautiful shape, but this one won't sew.. the doorknob who sold it to me thought they cleaned it up right and got it working.. but on a quick glance, the bobbin casing is in upside down and the didn't attach the needle plate, so the finger of the bobbin case has no where to sit.. ugh! But at least I'll make an easy couple of hundred bucks on it when I'm done.

Hi Bonnie I know it must be so annoying for you, but I am greatly relieved to see that sometimes things go a little off kilter for you so - that's very encouraging as I make more mistakes than most, so thank you!

Hi Bonnie! I love that little flat iron you're using; I have set up a small ironing table by my Viking machine and need a smaller iron--mine is so big and clunky--can you tell me what the brand is? Thanks, so enjoying your Quilt Cam--Julierose

My first time on Quiltcam! I live in San Diego so usually by the time I know you are on the time is way past. Love your pink Atlas and the gifted quilt.My "goal" today get the Christmas out and the Winter clothes and pick a quilt to send to Jersey for the Sandy people at the Shore...So fun to see you live!

Hi Bonnie, its great to see you on quiltcam. I finished pressing my four patches for Easy Street this afternoon. I may not be as efficient with the next step but am really happy so far with my first mystery. I am sewing a hanging sleeve on a wall hanging for my brother while watching. I will then be putting a quilt back together for a quilt for my sister for Christmas. Also have booked in for your three workshops in Galway next year. Can't wait!!! From Ann, Cork in Ireland

Hi Bonnie...this is the first time Ihave been able to catch your quilt cam. I sent in my reservation for Alaska and I am just so excited about this trip. My friend and I are going together. You will have to fill me in on what kind of preparations I need to make and what kind of classes there will be.

Hi Bonnie... from Randi in SW WA State....every year I get so excited when I hear you are doing another Thanksgiving mystery quilt. Using my Accuquilt GO cutter to cut the 2 inch strips. Took only 20 minutes to cut all the strips for the 4 patches. I love that you are on quiltcam during the day, since many times I miss you because I am still at work at 6pm and then it is dinner time. By the time all that is over you are off and probably in bed! Love all you do and hope to meet you someday!

Hi Bonnie,It is Monday morning here in Devonport Tasmania ( Australia), have to goand get ready to go to teach school for the day but it is only 19 more days and I will be retiring. Just got my collection of fabrics ready to start Easy Street.

I love the instrumental you have going right now. It's beautiful! I'm working on quilting a Christmas table runner right now. As soon as I finish, my machine will be free for me to start working on Easy Street. I'm so excited to join in on my first ever mystery. I love the colors, and I'm glad it won't be too tough since I'm a newbie quilter. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Hey Bonnie, great seeing ya again on quiltcam! Just a question ablout the "mystery" quilt. I got over anxious on cutting my black on white and my question is...... are we going to need larger cuts of white on black?

So excited to be able to Quilt Cam with you today, Bonnie! Finishing a cup of tea then back to quilting the last of 6 Christmas table runners then to hand sew the binding on a t-shirt quilt for my nephew!

Joining you from Newnan, Ga. Will be watching while I finifh some knitting and crochet project. Have everything ready for easy street, but have to get these done first. Thank You for all you do for us quilters. Cant wait to take another class someday when you are in the area.

Deb from Minnesota also....thought we would show you how many fans you have here and maybe you will combine a MN family visit with a workshop here sometime! Finished Easy Street, pt 1, determined to keep up! I'm sewing with you and watching the Vikings.....and humming along!

I have a question. What do you do with all of your bonus half square triangles? I always make them because I can't stand to waste the fabric, but they're an awkward size, so I don't know how to use them.

Hi, Bonnie!! Love the chance to watch you on QuiltCam! Your energy is simply amazing. Love the basement remodel you have done... and what an amazingly short timeframe to boot. I'm working on Christmas gifts and finishing some commissioned tote bags. Chomping on the bit to start Easy Street, but will have to live vicariously through others for awhile longer. I'm trimming down charm packs that I have bought for one tote. Highly annoyed that a top shelf company can't manage to produce a 5 x 5 square. These are 4.5 to 4 7/8" x 5". UGH! Thankfully, the pattern calls for 4" squares, so I have to trim regardless. Thanks so much for all you do for us!

Hi Bonnie! I just got home from visiting family for Thanksgiving. As laundry is going I'm working on two of your Streaks of Sunshine quilts. They will be for my twin grandsons to use when they come to Gramma's house. Hoping to start Easy Street this evening. Sure wish I could have started on Friday but didn't have my fabrics with me. This will be my first te sewing along with your mystery. Four of us will be doing it together. How fun!!

Just got up! Watching you on my big screen through my Roku for first time! Not watching you for first time....just doing it on big tv for first time! Loving it! Gotta get ready for work soon so just chilling and watching!

Hello Bonnie. Have had a good weekend working on Easy Street and now I am punching out hexies for my two current hexagon projects. Nik, in England. (Husband is watching Top Gear - do you get that in America?)

I injoy your quiltcam, this is my 3rd time catching you on. I use to put Christmas things out the day after Thanksgiving, but now Alvin's, my 4 year old grandson, birthday in on Dec 4, both he and my daughter live with us. so we do Thanksgiving then birthday then the day after his party we go all out and get live tree, and everything, it takes two to three days to get it all in place. LOL

Hey, just bought your latest book and I love it. I am going to make Roll Roll Cotton Boll in pinks and browns for my daughter. I also am participating in the Easy Street, and finished them last night. I was ironing and watching "Gypsy". I am really looking forward to this mystery. Thanks for all you do. PS. I am a long arm quilter, too, and I am interested in the quilt behind you are you channel quilting that, isn't that difficult on a long arm? Could you tell us a little about that quilt? Thanks Shelley.

The machine you're sewing on is the twin to my mom's that she sews on to this day. It was my grandmother's. They are real workhorses, aren't they? Loving your mystery so far, have about have of my 4 patches done. Can't wait until the next clue on Friday! Love seeing you on quilt cam. Marianne in cooler than usual Central Florida.

Hi Bonnie,I am using fabrics from a quilt kit that I will never complete for my Easy Street quilt. I have black for background, and a raspberry red for the grey. I hope this will work! I yellow for the purple, and a sagey green for the green and a cornflower blue for the aqua. What do you think?

For those of you working on clue 1 of Easy Street and using yardage strips or even FQ strips, I remembered a quick way to make those 4 patches. I think this was a Bonnie "technique" and I've done it for a long time for 4 patches. After sewing grey and background strips together, match the up with other grey background strips, stacking them as you would sewing the 2 halves of 4 patches together. I nest the seams really well and then make sure my cutting end is square, and make 2 inch cuts down the strips. I have my pairs matched and cut at the same time. I only used about 6 fabrics all from yardage for background and so I cut the strips(42"ish) in half(making them 21") after the first sewing and matched to make as many different combinations of background as I could. I'm doing the second cutting now and am almost half through in a short time. Faster and I don't have to worry about making combinations at the end!

I'm sitting here messing up right along with you. I'm working on the final 2 pieces of the second border of a papercuts applique quilt. I was marking the 3rd border when I realized I didn't have the saral tracing paper on it. I am finding myself unthreading my needle with every 3 or 4 stitches I take. Spending more time threading the needle rather than sewing.Have a great holiday seasonSueUpstate NY

Sorry I didn't answer you right back.. lol Yes it is the Disappearing 9 Patch that I am working on and using my new to me Singer 99k that my boyfriend got me last Friday. All 192 4 patches are done for "Easy Street" along with a few extra strip sets.

Hi Bonnie, I have been working on the Grandmother's Choice blocks this morning, I'm behind as usual. Just taking a break and getting in some Quilt Cam. I hope to get some of Easy Street started soon. I did get to order some new fabrics, not enough in my stash. Enjoy your time home.

Watching at the lake house. Connection isn't as good as at home (different provider) but I'm sewing along. Making doll quilts to go with the dolls I'm giving the granddaughters for Christmas. And about halfway thru the binding on the king sized quilt, saving that for the evenings. Dinner with friends tonight and a hike tomorrow. Love your remodel on your room. I'm want to do my room next year.

I saw that you said using oil on your rotary blades can help them a little. My question is.... could clipper oil be used for this? I don't have any sewing machine oil here and was wondering if this could be a substitute.

Only caught the last 5 minutes of quilt cam today. FInally got caught up on my email, etc. from the weekend. My daughter, niece and I did well at a holiday bazaar. I only sold one quilt but the big hit was my crocheted owl hats. I sold out of those and had orders for 2 more so I need to get lots more made! I think I will spend the afternoon watching recorded shows on TV and get some more finished. I am thinking I will start Easy Street in the next week or so and look forward to some more Quilt Cam later this week!

Karen, why did you choose to spell "luiza" this way??? I have a daughter adopted from Russia whose name is spelled this way and had not seen it that often before. I had picked this spelling and when I figured out enough of the Russian alphabet, I realized her birth mother had also used this spelling. Two moms half a world apart-same spelling-what are the chances??? I guess she was meant to be my daughter as her Russian mother had been killed in an accident and she was motherless for 7 years-now one of my precious, beautiful daughters!

So very sorry to hear of Luiza's 1st mum's tragic accident, but am delighted to read @ the improbable exact same (and most unusal for us) spelling of her name; seems like assurance that she truly is yours. Bless you, and thanks for posting this amazing story.